Music Industry Views, News & Reviews

Thursday, March 24, 2016

I just saw the premier of The Smart Studios Story at SXSW in Austin, Texas. This is a film,
directed by Wendy Schneider, that chronicles the history of Smart Studios in
Madison, WI. Smart was the home to producers
Butch Vig and Steve Marker who have a long musical history together, and who have
played in many bands including Grammy-nominated Garbage. But arguably more important is their
contribution to the global punk, grunge and rock music scenes from a small
studio on the corner of East Washington and Baldwin Street. The film’s
narrative unfolds through interviews with Vig, Marker, Duke Erickson, Shirley
Manson, Dave Grohl, Billy Corgan and many others. It is clear that each
participant was eager to share great experiences and memories – the film
captures a lot of passion for Smart radiating through voices and images.

Steve Marker & Butch Vig

Like so many in the Madison community who know Butch, Steve and Wendy personally, I have been a cheerleader for this 6-year venture. I saw first-hand the passion that Schneider put into making this film.
She was an engineer in the studio before it closed and ran her own studio,
Coney Island, for many years. Once Smart closed, she immediately realized how
important it was to document its history. But it goes further than that. In
addition to being a story about great music, the film also reflects the
struggles of the business side of Smart. Butch Vig says in the film, “Steve and I are terrible businessmen.” The
film reveals how their sheer love of making music kept Smart going. In one of
the scenes, Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins remarks how Vig made him sing
the phrase, “she knows” for 8 hours. That
dedication to excellence has been echoed in the making of the film – Schneider
spent hours and hours on each brief section of the film, creating a masterpiece
of storytelling in part through brilliant editing.

In writing about a film like this, it’s tempting to reflect on
all the great stories being told. There
are many, and they’re all interesting and compelling – describing them wouldn’t
do them justice – the way they come together through images and interviews is
magical. The film simply has to be seen.

Perhaps if someone else had come in and directed The Smart
Studios Story, it might have turned out okay. But Schneider’s experience and
passion about Smart coupled with her experience as a documentary filmmaker has
resulted in a very special and artful film. Vig and Marker, class acts that
they are, give the credit to Schneider for the creation of the film, but at the
same time the amazing work they did at Smart shines through everything. Kudos
to all three for such a stellar project.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Erik Kjelland and Meghan Rose are the big winners this year,
taking home 6 & 5 awards each, respectively.Kjelland’s group, The Mascot Theory, has come
on strong in the past two years and is becoming a staple in the Madison scene
and beyond.His band features strong
vocals and world-class productions of very well-written songs.Rose was nominated for her role in three
different area bands, I Saw the Creature, Damsel Trash and Little RedWolf.She is a talent who can easily
stretch beyond her rock comfort zone. She is a writer, producer and plays multiple
instruments. Sexy Ester takes home the prestigious Artist of the Year Award for the third time. The band is fronted by Lyndsay Evans, a powerful vocalist supported by strong instrumentalist and a great rhythm section. They are a staple in the Madison Music Scene.

She is a musician,
singer, song writer, and artist. Tiffany has been pursuing a life in
music since 15, when she started her own band, wrote and released 2
independent albums and played many successful shows.

Nick Fuse is known for songs that are brutally honest, simple and real.
Devoted to Urban Folk, he spins tales of the Modern Age through the
ancient role of Muse with soft strings and endearing voice, gifts he
does not claim as his own.

A truly original
singer-songwriter with a quirky, sensitive, witty, quintessencially
British sound that grows on one with each listen. And lurking behind the
eccentric trappings are some highly infectious grooves, amber guitar
tones, and wickedly clever arrangements that George Martin would be
proud of.

Monday, September 22, 2014

Far smarter people than me have thought
long and hard, and written, about the “creative economy” since the beginning of
the 21st century.At the dawn
not only of a new century but a new kind of economy, creativity is becoming
recognized worldwide as a desirable asset that can be used for economic,
educational and civic benefits and growth.Locally and globally, we’re at a moment in history where the old economy
is fading away (folks, we’re not in a recession any more, we’re in a whole new
economy) and the new economy is happening all around us. That means everyone,
from economists to politicians to for-profit and non-profit businesspeople to
workers trying to make a living, are defining what this new/creative economy
means.

As director of Arts Wisconsin, the
state’s arts service, advocacy and development organization working as a
catalyst to grow Wisconsin creatively, I run a small non-profit dealing with
Wisconsin’s creative life, economy, educational systems, and civic issues.It’s a big job and one that I feel very
passionate about, because I get to work with incredibly creative and
interesting people in every corner of the state.

Although I love my job, I imagine you
feel the same way I do much of the time - scrambling to catch up to the changes
coming at me. In general, the marketplace, funding and support systems, and
mindset for economic and community development and engagement, for my business
and for every other business out there, are based on the pre-2008 economy.In order to keep growing and reap the
benefits of our creative people, organizations, businesses and communities, our
systems and mindsets are changing and must continue to change.

So one of the questions is - just what
do we mean by the creative economy?

The creative economy is the
intersection of the creative workforce, creative industries and creative communities.That’s a general definition that manifests
itself in a lot of different ways.The
creative economy is the musician performing in bands and orchestras, recording
his/her own music and send it out into the universe in a lot of different
ways.It’s businesses like Broadjam
helping to get that music out there.It’s nonprofit organizations producing musical works.It’s communities recognizing and investing in
the work of creative people in promotion, economic development efforts,
education.

Here are some additional definitions of
the creative economy, from around the world:

·The
enterprises and people involved in the production and distribution of goods and
services in which the aesthetic, intellectual, and emotional engagement of the
consumer gives the product value in the marketplace. (Massachusetts Housing and
Economic Development Office)

·…socio-economic
potential of activities that trade with creativity, knowledge and information.
(British Council)

·…21st
century jobs that move away from the old methods of industrial development
(Global Green Growth Institute)

In my work, I get to delve deep into Wisconsin’s creative
economy, on all levels.I’ve spent
nearly 20 years traveling around Wisconsin as an activist, educator, and
facilitator for the arts and creativity. I can tell you that there’s a lot of
creativity on the local level throughout the state.Right here, right now, creative programs,
projects and institutions are making a difference in their communities.It’s an interesting and exciting time, full
of anxieties and opportunities.

I’m not at all a fan of the term
“creative class.”Although it’s become
popular shorthand for the most desired kind of creative economy development, it
only focuses on one segment of the creative sector.Arts Wisconsin encourages more inclusive
terms to keep the community vibrant and interesting for young people, families,
and creative people of all types.A
really creative city must recognize and take action on the idea that diversity
is what the 21st century is all about.Everyone in a community, regardless of income
level, background, or perspective, can bring their creativity to the table and
should be able to participate in the creative economy and all that the
community has to offer.

Every mayor, city council member, and
economic development leader wants to know how to make their community known as
a creative place.Well, it’s not like
there’s a magic wand you can wave to overcome those obstacles and voila! –
you’re a creative place, and will stay that way forever.A creative community happens and keeps going
over time, with consistent attention paid to big and small issues.Entrepreneurialism, imagination, innovation
and creativity are key.To become known
as a creative place, and to really live that mindset, takes a sense of common
purpose and goals, persistence, planning combined with flexibility, big-picture
thinking, and a can-do attitude. It’s
vital to admit and learn from challenges and celebrate big and small successes.

What are the essential components of this
creative economy?These are some
economic principles that can and should lead to 21st century
economic strength, education focused on 21st century learning, a
vibrant community life, and engaged residents.As an advocate and community member, you can help your community be
involved in this issues.

1.Focus on a community’s assets – human, financial,
social, economic, educational – while addressing issues and challenges.Support an asset-based community development
mindset.

2.Support a mindset and programs that welcome a
multi-cultural, diverse mix of creative people.A rich mix of talents, income levels, backgrounds, and perspectives enlivens
the city.

3.Prioritize access to the arts – and everything else
– for all.A place can really be
recognized for its creativity if that creativity is available for everyone in
the community.There must be a diversity
of arts opportunities in the community so that everyone can participate in some
way, not just those who can afford the price of a ticket.

4.Arts integrated into education for all students in
the public schools is key.All kids
deserve and need the arts in the learning process, to help them express
themselves and gain the skills they need to thrive in the 21st
century world and workforce.Global research and practice show
that students with high levels of arts participation outperform other students
on virtually every measure from standardized tests to community participation,
and that learning through the arts has a significant effect on learning in
other areas, particularly in the early years. We know that Wisconsin
needs more workers proficient in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and
Math) studies. We must add the arts for 21st century STEAM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) in Wisconsin.

6.Local
elected officials and civic leaders should be visible, pro-active, enthusiastic
champions of the arts, leadership that encourages
rather than “squelches” new ideas.

7.Support
investment in arts infrastructure – not just physical buildings, but
organizational and leadership infrastructure.Creative people can do a lot with a little, but there’s got to be the
realization that sufficient and ongoing human, organizational and financial
resources need to be available to make things happen.

8.A creative
place is built and nurtured through a great quality of life that includes a
vibrant street life, arts, food, libraries, parks and other public spaces,
local radio stations, museums, bikeways that everyone can enjoy.

Resources for
creative economy development:

Google “creative economy” and “creative industries” and
thousands of interesting links from around the world will come up. Here are a
few to check out:

There’s so much more to say about the creative economy and
possibilities for growth in Wisconsin and beyond.Get in touch with me to discuss at 608 255
8316 | akatz@artswisconsin.org.

Anne Katz is the arts leader in
Wisconsin. She is an activist who understands the power of the arts to sustain
and strengthen communities and has spent her entire working doing so. She has
developed and coordinated many educational programs which expand cultural
experiences for all. She is a true champion of the artist and admired by
everyone who knows her.